As the spring landscaping rush begins and excitement fills the air, you may be wondering which materials are best for your clients’ outdoor living projects. Updating or building patios using pavers can greatly improve the aesthetic of your clients’ landscapes and provide the backdrop for many wonderful moments spent with family and friends. Here’s why patio pavers should be used in a spring patio remodel in Harrisburg, PA.

Related: WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PICKING PAVERS AT OUR LANDSCAPE SUPPLY NEAR YORK, PA

Benefits Over Natural Stone

For the most part, patios made from natural stone are more expensive and more time-consuming to install than patios made from pavers. Since pavers are composite materials that have been manufactured en masse, they tend to be easier to source than natural stone, and they are dimensionally accurate, which makes for faster and easier installation.

Natural materials come in limited colors. Since pavers are manufactured, there are many color varieties that can match your clients’ specifications (especially those clients who are looking for uncommon materials for eclectic landscapes). Of course, there’s a wide range of grays and earth tones, but there are more tonal variations, including blended colors, that allow for plenty of artistic expression (borders, inlays, and accents). 

Similarly, there are more textures to choose from in pavers to fit any design aesthetic, from the pronounced texture of flagstone to silky-smooth, weathered, dimpled, and brushed. Even the smallest details, like beveled edges, can allow for a much faster realization of your artistic visions.

A Unified Design Theme

Certain concrete pavers are versatile in that they can be used in patios, pool decks, walkways, driveways, and vertical landscape features. Using the same material throughout the landscape creates a cohesive feel that’s easy on the eyes. It can be an ideal solution for clients who enjoy a minimalist aesthetic and don’t want to mix and match various pavers throughout the landscape.

Non-Slip Surfaces

Many pavers feature non-slip surfaces to reduce the chances of slipping on pool and hot tub surrounds, patios, walkways, and driveways. These pavers may be textured, or feature a subtle pebbled texture that is actually amazingly grippy even when wet.

Permeability

Certain pavers offer the option of being installed either traditionally or on a permeable base; this is a great solution for shady driveways, walkways, pool surrounds, or patios where snow and ice would otherwise linger. Permeable pavers are typically the ideal choice for eco-conscious clients.  

Looking to the Future

If you’re building a patio with natural stone, it might be challenging to source the same stone if the project is being done in phases. You can plan ahead by having a large backstock of stone to pull from, but this isn’t advantageous for your profit margin, and your clients may not have the means or the space to stockpile stone for future additions. With patio pavers, the style and color you choose are likely to remain available, so the landscape project could be rolled out in convenient phases.

Maintenance

In general, landscape professionals want “set it and forget it” outdoor living spaces, not ones that require constant maintenance. Pavers really deliver in this respect. For easy maintenance, give preference to pavers that come factory sealed with a penetrating sealant, which will not only make cleanup easy but will help retain the richness of color.

While it’s hard to beat the incredible characteristics of natural stone, modern concrete pavers have come a long way both in terms of comparable durability and authentic looks. They are good options for landscape professionals looking for value and practicality, or for landscape professionals who want to jump outside the box with unique finishes and colors.

Related: COLOR MATCHING PATIO PAVERS AND RETAINING WALLS FOR YORK, PA, PROJECTS

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